Live blog: Arsenal take on Liverpool in FA Cup third round

Kai Havertz starts upfront for Arsenal as Gabriel Jesus misses out due to injury



Live blog: Arsenal take on Liverpool in FA Cup third round

Summer signing Kai Havertz will lead the line against Liverpool. Credit- Mark Leech/Offside


Live BLog Sunday Jan 7th

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  1. Freddie Cardy: 18:24 #3534

    Full time: Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool. 14-time FA Cup winners Arsenal are knocked out of the competition. Finishing practice at London Colney urgently required

  2. Freddie Cardy: 18:23 #3533

    90+4' Goal! Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool Ramsdale sends the ball upfield and Liverpool clear. Jota drives infield and there is Diaz to rifle the ball into the net. Game over. 0-2

  3. Freddie Cardy: 18:22 #3532

    90+4' Chance for Arsenal to send the ball long with another free kick. Now Alexander-Arnold is booked. 0-1

  4. Freddie Cardy: 18:21 #3531

    90+3' Alisson easily claims the latest Arsenal corner. 90 seconds to go. 0-1

  5. Freddie Cardy: 18:19 #3530

    90+1' Martinelli crosses in the corner and Liverpool head clear. Diaz breaks into the box on the counter but Ramsdale is there to claim, before Rice is fouled by Clark. Yellow card for the Liverpool man. 0-1

  6. Freddie Cardy: 18:19 #3529

    90+1' Odegaard's delivery is headed just wide of the goal by Nunez! Four minutes added on. 0-1

  7. Freddie Cardy: 18:18 #3528

    90' Great work by Odegaard who wins a free kick off Gravenberch, and he is booked. 0-1

  8. Freddie Cardy: 18:16 #3527

    88' Trossard and Smith Rowe come on for Kiwior and Havertz. 0-0

  9. Freddie Cardy: 18:15 #3526

    87' Bradley stands his ground against Martinelli and does well to win a goal kick, which Alisson is in no rush to take. 0-0

  10. Freddie Cardy: 18:12 #3525

    84' Nunez fouls Saka on the right wing. Odegaard's delivery is flicked on by Havertz and behind for a goal kick. 0-0

  11. Freddie Cardy: 18:10 #3524

    82' Eddie Nketiah is on for Jorginho. 0-1

  12. Freddie Cardy: 18:09 #3523

    81' Correction- the final touch there came off of Jakub Kiwior, so it's an unfortunate own goal for the Arsenal defender. 0-1

  13. Freddie Cardy: 18:08 #3522

    80' Goal! Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool Odegaard hauls down Gravenberch and can't hide his frustration after hearing the referee's whistle. The free kick finds Diaz and he heads past Ramsdale to put Liverpool in front. 0-1

  14. Freddie Cardy: 18:07 #3521

    78' Diogo Jota is the latest player to hit the crossbar, almost heading home from a corner! Nunez then squanders the rebound. 0-0

  15. Freddie Cardy: 18:06 #3520

    77' Super stop from Aaron Ramsdale! The first time he's really been called into action and he gets down low to his near post to deny Diaz. 0-0

  16. Freddie Cardy: 18:04 #3519

    76' Connor Bradley and Bobby Clark come on for Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott. Big shouts of "Who?" from the Arsenal fans, and I don't blame them. 0-0

  17. Freddie Cardy: 18:02 #3518

    74' Havertz just clips Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool progress down the left though Nunez. White is back to block his cross, clearing to Martinelli who is adjudged to have used his hand in bringing the ball down. 0-0

  18. Freddie Cardy: 17:58 #3517

    70' Now Elliott is booked for bringing Jorginho down. 0-0

  19. Freddie Cardy: 17:58 #3516

    69' His corner fails to beat the first man. 0-0

  20. Freddie Cardy: 17:56 #3515

    68' Martinelli does well to drive past Alexander-Arnold into the box but he cannot pick out an Arsenal player. He then makes an identical run into the penalty area and is tackled well by Konate. 0-0

  21. Freddie Cardy: 17:54 #3514

    66' The first yellow card of the game goes the way of Saliba, for pulling back Jota. 0-0

  22. Freddie Cardy: 17:52 #3513

    64' Saliba gives the ball away and Liverpool have a rare venture forward. Elliott shoots straight into the hands of Ramsdale. 0-0

  23. Freddie Cardy: 17:50 #3512

    62' Gabriel Martinelli comes on for Reiss Nelson, who has played well. 0-0

  24. Freddie Cardy: 17:49 #3511

    60' Another rapid Arsenal attack as Nelson drives forward, finds Havertz and his cross is deflected into the path of Saka, but he can't hook the ball back across goal. 0-0

  25. Freddie Cardy: 17:47 #3510

    59' Double change for Liverpool as Jota and Gravenberch and replace Gakpo and Mac Allister. 0-0

  26. Freddie Cardy: 17:46 #3509

    58' Odegaard's low free kick sees the ball slipped into Havertz. He crosses into the box and Saka has to adjust his body to get a shot away, over the crossbar. 0-0

  27. Freddie Cardy: 17:46 #3508

    58' Odegaard's low free kick sees the ball slipped into Havertz. He crosses into the box and Saka has to adjust his body to get a shot away, over the crossbar. 0-0

  28. Freddie Cardy: 17:44 #3507

    56' Fantastic sliding tackle from Saliba to deny Nunez a shot on goal. 0-0

  29. Freddie Cardy: 17:44 #3506

    56' Diaz is back defending and brings down Nelson, who does well to win a free kick. Nelson's low delivery doesn't pay off and Liverpool clear their lines. 0-0

  30. Freddie Cardy: 17:42 #3505

    54' All Liverpool now! Nunez comes onto his right foot and fires wide of Ramsdale's goal. 0-0

  31. Freddie Cardy: 17:41 #3504

    53' Moments later, Diaz is in behind Kiwior again, crosses for Nunez and then Jones smashes the ball high over the crossbar. 0-0

  32. Freddie Cardy: 17:40 #3503

    52' Elliott releases Diaz down the right and he can cut onto his left foot. He takes too long and Rice gets back to win back the ball. 0-0

  33. Freddie Cardy: 17:38 #3502

    50' Gomez then takes aim from a long way out but can't challenge Ramsdale with a powerful strike. 0-0

  34. Freddie Cardy: 17:38 #3501

    49' Excellent long ball over the top by Gabriel, and Saka runs onto it, turns past Gomez but can't get a shot away. 0-0

  35. Freddie Cardy: 17:36 #3500

    48' Havertz is dragged back on the halfway line by Konate but the defender goes unpunished. 0-0

  36. Freddie Cardy: 17:34 #3499

    46' Underway for the second half. 0-0

  37. Freddie Cardy: 17:32 #3498

    Here come the teams for the second half...

  38. Freddie Cardy: 17:31 #3497

    Liverpool were far from their best in the first half and will look to punish Arsenal for their wasteful finishing in the second. Arsenal certainly have more depth in their squad to call upon from the bench, however.

  39. Freddie Cardy: 17:25 #3496

    Ian Wright tweets at half time: "We need a killer." Arsenal could do with their legendary striker this evening.

  40. Freddie Cardy: 17:20 #3495

    Arsenal registered 13 shots compared to Liverpool's two in that first half.

  41. Freddie Cardy: 17:19 #3494

    A positive first half for Arsenal. Both sides have struck the crossbar but it's Arsenal who created all of the chances in that first half, and they should be in front in this game if not for some wasteful finishing.

  42. Freddie Cardy: 17:17 #3493

    45+3' Nelson swings the ball in from the left and it's headed away. That will be half time: Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

  43. Freddie Cardy: 17:17 #3492

    45+2' Havertz is barged over by Gakpo and Arsenal have a free kick just before half time... 0-0

  44. Freddie Cardy: 17:15 #3491

    45+1' Two added minutes at the end of the first half. 0-0

  45. Freddie Cardy: 17:15 #3490

    45' Now the crossbar is rattled by Alexander-Arnold, who strikes a brilliant effort onto the bar with the outside of his foot! 0-0

  46. Freddie Cardy: 17:14 #3489

    44' Havertz draws another save from Alisson, taking aim from inside the penalty area. 0-0

  47. Freddie Cardy: 17:12 #3488

    43' Now Arsenal do have a free kick as Odegaard is tripped by Gomez. Saka floats it high and wide, a waste for the Gunners. 0-0

  48. Freddie Cardy: 17:11 #3487

    41' Saka is blocked off right on the edge of the box by Mac Allister but the referee sees no wrongdoing. 0-0

  49. Freddie Cardy: 17:08 #3486

    39' Havertz rises highest but heads wide from a corner. 0-0

  50. Freddie Cardy: 17:08 #3485

    38' Saka loses the ball in the box but Ben White unleashes a piledriver that has to be tipped over by the goalkeeper! 0-0

  51. Freddie Cardy: 17:07 #3484

    37' Into the box goes Saka but Gomez blocks his shot. Arsenal keep the ball up high and Rice drives a long shot straight at Alisson. 0-0

  52. Freddie Cardy: 17:05 #3483

    35' Saliba strides out of defence and Odegaard can release Havertz, but he's flagged offside. 0-0

  53. Freddie Cardy: 17:04 #3482

    34' Ramsdale can watch Alexander-Arnold's deep free-kick land on the roof of his net. 0-0

  54. Freddie Cardy: 17:03 #3481

    33' White hauls down Jones near the corner flag after the Liverpool man flicked the ball past him. 0-0

  55. Freddie Cardy: 17:00 #3480

    30' That's a poor finish from Havertz, who cuts inside but scuffs his effort completely into the hands of Alisson. Another good chance goes by the wayside. 0-0

  56. Freddie Cardy: 16:59 #3479

    29' Odegaard crosses from the right but it's headed away. The ball then almost breaks for Nelson but Alexander-Arnold is back to clear. 0-0

  57. Freddie Cardy: 16:56 #3478

    27' Nelson gets into the box and lays the ball back to Saka, but he can't generate any power behind his shot and Alisson saves. A rapid attack there from the Gunners. 0-0

  58. Freddie Cardy: 16:55 #3477

    25' Alexander-Arnold is pulled back by Jorginho, who certainly has a good grasp of English when it comes to swearing, as the referee finds out. Elliott's free-kick is headed back to Ramsdale by an Arsenal defender. 0-0

  59. Freddie Cardy: 16:53 #3476

    23' Appeals for a penalty are quickly waved away by the referee- Nelson and Alexander-Arnold came together in the box but there was little, if any, contact on the Arsenal winger. 0-0

  60. Freddie Cardy: 16:52 #3475

    22' White clears behind for a corner after Nunez crossed to the back post. There was Nunez again to head wide from Elliott's delivery. 0-0

  61. Freddie Cardy: 16:50 #3474

    21' Odegaard and Nelson exchange passes on the edge of the box but Liverpool can clear their lines, before Gabriel's raking ball goes straight out for a throw. 0-0

  62. Freddie Cardy: 16:47 #3473

    18' Both sets of fans are in good voice as Liverpool enjoy their first real spell of possession. 0-0

  63. Freddie Cardy: 16:44 #3472

    14' Declan Rice fouls Curtis Jones before Alexander-Arnold's long ball is cleared by Saliba. 0-0

  64. Freddie Cardy: 16:42 #3471

    11' How have Arsenal not taken the lead there! Liverpool are sloppy at the back and Odegaard hits the crossbar after a first shot was blocked. 0-0

  65. Freddie Cardy: 16:40 #3470

    10' Saka and Diaz so head to head and the former was caught, but can continue. 0-0

  66. Freddie Cardy: 16:38 #3469

    8' Saka's corner is helped on at the near post but and eventually cleared. Arsenal win the ball back and Havertz draws a safe from Alisson. 0-0

  67. Freddie Cardy: 16:37 #3468

    7' Nelson's scuffed shot is deflected behind after Jorginho teed him up inside the box. 0-0

  68. Freddie Cardy: 16:34 #3467

    5' Nelson is back defending and fouls Elliott, who wins a free-kick level with the edge of the box. Trent Alexander-Arnold's delivery is poor and Ben White watches it behind for a throw-in. 0-0

  69. Freddie Cardy: 16:33 #3466

    3' Reiss Nelson is played in over the top by Ramsdale and gets past Alisson but can't convert from a narrow angle- great chance for Arsenal early on! 0-0

  70. Freddie Cardy: 16:30 #3465

    1' Harvey Elliott gets us underway at Emirates Stadium! 0-0

  71. Freddie Cardy: 16:27 #3464

    Both teams shake hands before kick-off. Arsenal are in all-white, and Liverpool purple.

  72. Freddie Cardy: 16:25 #3463

    The teams are in the tunnel at the Emirates!

  73. Freddie Cardy: 16:24 #3462

    "They're not enjoying the environment that they're in, and they both probably need a little bit more love," says TV pundit Martin Keown on the Ramsdale-Raya situation at Arsenal.

  74. Freddie Cardy: 16:21 #3461

    Michael Thomas, who knows a few things about Arsenal v Liverpool, is watching on at the Emirates.

  75. Freddie Cardy: 16:17 #3460

    Arsenal have won the FA Cup 14 times, most recently in 2020, beating Chelsea in the final behind closed doors at Wembley (then beating Liverpool to win the community shield). Liverpool have eight FA Cup victories to their name.

  76. Freddie Cardy: 16:12 #3459

    Odegaard also writes: "I watched a lot of English football growing up, and so I know about the history of the FA Cup and how special it is, getting to Wembley and everything that goes with it. As I said, we’re all desperate to win trophies as a team, and individually as well you have to take those chances when they come along in your career. So we want to start that journey today, and see how far it can take us."

  77. Freddie Cardy: 16:11 #3458

    Arsenal will wear an all-white kit at Emirates Stadium against Liverpool as the club once again support the 'No More Red' initiative, which aims to keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence. Captain Martin Odegaard writes in the matchday programme: "It’s an important campaign and we’ll be proud to pull on the white shirt today."

  78. Freddie Cardy: 16:08 #3457

    Jurgen Klopp tells the BBC that Virgil van Dijk is ill- the defender misses out this afternoon.

  79. Freddie Cardy: 16:06 #3456

    Liverpool sit top of the Premier League, 5 points ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal.

  80. Freddie Cardy: 16:05 #3455

    Arsenal have lost in the Premier League against West Ham and Fulham after drawing 1-1 with Liverpool, who haven't lost since a controversial defeat against Spurs at the end of September.

  81. Freddie Cardy: 15:59 #3454

    Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is back in the Arsenal starting lineup in place of David Raya.

  82. Freddie Cardy: 15:56 #3453

    Virgil van Dijk is replaced at centre-back by Jarell Quansah, with the Dutch stalwart absent from the Liverpool squad. Jurgen Klopp is also without Mo Salah and Wataru Endo, who have travelled to their respective international tournaments.

  83. Freddie Cardy: 15:53 #3452

    Gabriel Jesus misses out with a minor knee issue, and Kai Havertz is preferred upfront to Eddie Nketiah. Oleksandr Zinchenko remains sidelined after missing the defeat to Fulham, so Jakub Kiwior starts again at left-back.

  84. Freddie Cardy: 15:49 #3451

    Liverpool substitutes: Kelleher, Jota, Gravenberch, Clark, Chambers, Gordon, McConnell, Bradley, Nyoni.

  85. Freddie Cardy: 15:47 #3450

    Arsenal substitutes: Raya, Cedric, Walters, Sousa, Smith Rowe, Nwaneri, Trossard, Martinelli, Nketiah.

  86. Freddie Cardy: 15:47 #3449

    Liverpool: Alisson; Gomez, Quansah, Konate, Alexander-Arnold; Jones, Mac Allister, Elliot; Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo.

  87. Freddie Cardy: 15:46 #3448

    Arsenal: Ramsdale; Kiwior, Gabriel, Saliba, White; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Nelson, Havertz, Saka.

  88. Freddie Cardy: 15:44 #3447

    Team news is in...

  89. Freddie Cardy: 15:44 #3446

    The FA Cup third round weekend is one of the highlights of the footballing calendar, and Arsenal's clash with Liverpool presents itself as one of this year's stand-out ties. Welcome to our Gooner Fanzine live blog, where we're very much up for the cup!


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